When Ruben Schott was greeted with toilet paper…

This scenario was not necessarily to be expected at the start of the season: in their third Champions League match on Wednesday (January 21 at 8:30 pm), the BR Volleys, currently at the top of the table, will travel to defending champions Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA, who have also celebrated two victories so far but are in second place in Pool C with one more set lost. During their away game in Umbria, the team and Berlin fans can get a taste of the “game of the year” when the club world champions come to the German ‘Volleyballtempel’ on February 18 (www.br-volleys.de/tickets). Berlin captain Ruben Schott describes the Italians’ particular strength and recalls his two appearances at the Pala Barton in Perugia.

Toilet paper, lots of toilet paper. Ruben Schott still remembers this somewhat unusual welcome when he thinks back to his first appearance in Perugia. “They did not mean it personally, it was apparently a tradition for them,” he says with a laugh. That was in the 2017/2018 season, when he played for Powervolley MILANO. It was a year in which Schott learned a lot about the special role that Volleyball plays in Italy – and not just in paper form. There is great interest, great professionalism, big budgets, and at least half a dozen top teams featuring international stars. But there are also many local players who take on responsibility early on due to foreign player regulations in SuperLega. Three of them must always be on the court. They are paid accordingly. “It is therefore rare for Italians to leave their league. The top players tend to move from one top club to another.” However, this quota does not apply to international competitions, which is why clubs such as Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA, TRENTINO Itas, and Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA have so many professionals from all over the world.

The same applies to Perugia, “they have an incredibly broad squad,” says Schott. The 3-2 victory two weeks ago at Guaguas LAS PALMAS (ESP) was secured in the tiebreak primarily by Argentinians Agustin Loser and Sebastian Solé, Ukrainian Oleh Plotnytskyi, Japanese Yuki Ishikawa, and Tunisian Wassim Ben Tara. Schott sees serving and receiving as one of the Italian league’s outstanding strengths. “Plotnytskyi serves incredibly well,” says the BR Volleys captain, “and so do the others. They make few mistakes and are very consistent.” This strength already pays off in training because it allows receiving to be improved to the highest level at the same time. And in league matches, of course. According to Schott, this makes the job easier for setter Simone Giannelli. “He is one of the best in the world in his position. If he can distribute the balls as he pleases, it will be very difficult for us, especially with the physical strength they have in their team.” 

Nevertheless, it does not appear that the three-time and current club world champions are invincible. In their first home game against VK Lvi PRAHA (CZE), they lost a set, followed by a point loss in the Canary Islands. Super optimists could now calculate that after one set lost, then two, three must follow. Ruben Schott smiles: “That would be nice, of course, we would all be very happy about that.” However, it would be a sensation. “That is obviously even more difficult away than at home.” In any case, the captain knows how at least one duel on equal terms would be possible: “We have to be brave and hope that we have a good day from the service line. And, of course, keep the reception going. We have to reach our limit.”

One thing could be very helpful for the BR Volleys: “They are undoubtedly a very tough opponent. At least that means we can play freely. The roles are reversed – we do not have the pressure we have in the Bundesliga in these games. For once, we have nothing to lose. Plus, it is a lot of fun to compete against opponents like this.” 

That was already the case in 2023, when the BR Volleys lost 1-3 at home in front of more than 8,000 fans in the Champions League quarterfinals, but only 2-3 away. Ruben Schott naturally remembers that return match, especially since he and his team were leading 2-1 in Italy, not least because superstar Wilfredo Leon had physical problems and was therefore initially rested by PERUGIA. When things got tight, however, the Cuban (with a Polish passport) had to step in. Almost single-handedly, he stifled Berlin’s hopes of a Golden Set. “He came in, delivered right away, and turned the game around. That was a bit bitter for us,” says Schott, “but on the other hand, we put up a respectable fight with the 2-3 loss.”

Exceptional player Leon has often ended the international dreams of BR Volleys in his career, especially when playing for Zenit KAZAN (RUS) in Berlin’s two Final Four appearances. And yet it is precisely these opponents and matches that captivate Volleyball fans in the German capital. Accordingly, there is already great anticipation for the return match when Giannelli, Ishikawa & Co. serve at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in mid-February. If they are unable to shake the heavy favourites away from home, their hopes will rest on home advantage on the last match day. “If we go into the match with the full energy of our fans, our speaker Karsten, and the team, something can happen. I firmly believe that. But first, we will try our best without pressure away in Italy,” says Schott, looking forward to the big challenges against the reigning Champions League winners.